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South Africa thrash New Zealand

Dale Steyn took three wickets and Morne Morkel claimed two in the morning session as New Zealand slumped to a 2-0 series whitewash.

Port Elizabeth: South Africa crushed New Zealand by an innings and 193 runs on Monday after the tourists were bowled out for 211 in their second innings before lunch on the fourth day of the second Test.

Dale Steyn took three wickets and Morne Morkel claimed two in the morning session at St. George's Park as New Zealand slumped to a 2-0 series whitewash against the top-ranked Test team.

BJ Watling resisted for 63, his second half-century of the match, and Dean Brownlie made 53, but New Zealand was heavily outclassed throughout the Test and the series.

Three South Africans made centuries in their first-innings 525 for 8 declared, and Steyn then led with eight wickets in the match as New Zealand tumbled to 121 and 211 and an even bigger loss than the first test in Cape Town - where South Africa won by an innings and 27 runs.

"They were very professional and very big wins for us," South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said. "I think things are slotting in nicely. There's a mature bunch of guys who understand what it's like to be successful at this level."

Having dug in to reach stumps on Sunday at 157 for 4, New Zealand lost six wickets for 54 runs on Monday morning under a brief and final barrage from Steyn (3 for 48) and Morne Morkel (2 for 36).

Recalled seamer Rory Kleinvedlt and spinner Robin Peterson also had two wickets each in the second innings, and Jacques Kallis a crucial 1 for 18 to break the Watling-Brownlie partnership, as all South Africa's bowlers found success against the fragile New Zealand batting lineup.

Likewise, South Africa's batting was consistently too good for New Zealand's bowlers as Faf du Plessis (137), Hashim Amla (110) and Dean Elgar (103 not out) racked up centuries and skipper Smith and AB de Villiers made half-centuries in an imposing batting start for the Proteas.

South Africa's one batting effort was still nearly 200 runs better than the two innings combined by New Zealand. "It was going to be tough playing the No. 1 team," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. "We're well short of the mark where South Africa is at. We were exposed, but all credit to South Africa. They were phenomenal."